Assess and analyze risks in GWW

Infrastructure works can have an effect on the surrounding environment. By assessing the possible risks in the preliminary phase, drawing up control measures and measuring the impact on the surroundings during construction, much suffering can be prevented. "Zero (consequential) damage, that should be the starting point for all infrastructural work," Fred Pannekoek of Fides Expertise rightly states.

Assessing risks

Fides Expertise specializes in assessing and analyzing risks in the infrastructure sector, both on the client's side and on the insurance side (even before the project comes to market), as well as on behalf of executing parties. "We assess the risks of the influences to the environment and look at how best to monitor that during execution," Pannekoek explains. "This ranges from monitoring whether a pre-calculated lowering of the water level corresponds to the actual lowering, monitoring the deflection of a sheet pile wall in a large cofferdam to monitoring the influences of the infrastructure work on sensitive buildings or cables and pipes in the subsurface."

Fides Expertise's measuring equipment for vibration, noise, groundwater level and deformations are equipped with an automatic alarm notification when exceeded.

Pragmatic approach

In all cases, it is important to schedule sufficient measuring moments during the work so that timely intervention can be taken in case of any settlements or undue vibrations. "Every project is unique in this respect. We estimate the risks based on the planned work. Even though specifications are often present, the working methods are often not described. For each situation we look at the possible risks, prescribe control measures and select the right measurement method. It is important to assess the latter pragmatically, and that is precisely what is sometimes lacking in the market. It is always a matter of weighing up the possible risks, the suitable measuring equipment and the costs involved. Taking measurements every half hour just doesn't make sense in some cases," Pannekoek emphasizes.

Timely anticipation

Fides Expertise's measuring equipment for vibration, noise, groundwater level and deformations are equipped with automatic alarm notification in case of overshoot. "With our robotic total stations for deformations, even multiple alarm levels can be set, so that timely action can be taken after an initial warning. The limit values are defined in the monitoring plan that we draw up with the client. The steps to be taken when a limit value is reached are also described. For large, complex projects, a monitoring meeting is even held every two weeks in which the measurement results are discussed and further actions are defined. And all with the goal of maintaining structural safety and the cosmetic aspect of the surrounding construction."